NFL Insiders believe Kirk Cousins will be released from the Atlanta Falcons at the start of the new league year.
Cousins to Be Released by Atlanta
Only a year into a four-year deal, the veteran quarterback could be released by the Falcons this offseason. In 2024, Cousins signed a four-year $180 million deal, including $100 million guaranteed. Cousins signed the deal after tearing his Achilles tendon during the 2023 season, which led to his departure from the Minnesota Vikings.
After signing Cousins to a huge deal last offseason, the Falcons went on to use their ninth pick in the draft on quarterback Michael Penix, sending the NFL world into a frenzy after previously committing big dollars to Cousins. However, as the 2024 NFL season played out, Cousins hardly looked like a starting quarterback.
Cousins led the league in interceptions and played the Falcons out of playoff contention. Eventually he was benched for Penix for the last couple games of the season. In the Falcon’s decision to bench Cousins, they made it clear that Penix was going to be the starting quarterback going forward. One year in Atlanta, and it looks like Cousins will possibly be on the move again, according to what ESPN Insider Adam Schefter has heard around the league.
“This situation looks an awful lot like what Denver and Russell Wilson went through last offseason before Denver decided ultimately to move on from him,” Schefter said on NFL Live. “They released him. He wound up signing a one-year deal with a low salary in Pittsburgh, and that’s how I think people across the league believe this situation will unfold with the Falcons releasing Cousins right around the start of the new year.”
It would be all but impossible for the Falcons to turn back to Cousins after handing the keys over to the rookie. And it would be unprecedented if the Falcons kept Cousins because he would be a backup quarterback making $40 million dollars. Cousins is due a roster bonus of $17 million on March 17th, so he will likely be released before then. A release will leave the Falcons with $65 million in dead cap.
Could Atlanta Trade Cousins?
The Falcons could look to trade Cousins; however, it will be difficult because of the contract structure. He will also be 37 years old before the start of the 2025 season. Cousins also has a no-trade clause, meaning he would have to sign off on any place the Falcons would try to send him. Knowing that a team doesn’t have to trade draft capital to get Cousins services, they could just wait for his outright release and sign him for a cheaper deal.
Where Could Cousins Play Next Season?
Cousins is well-regarded by some of the NFL’s most high-profile coaches around the league. Cousins has played for both Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan in his career and has had some of his best years in the NFL under those coaches. It’s possible he could go to either the Los Angeles Rams or the San Francisco 49ers or any quarterback needy team.
On the Rams possibility, the Rams are currently trying to figure out their quarterback situation with veteran Matthew Stafford. Stafford is looking for a pay raise to continue playing, and if the Rams decide they don’t want to pay the money, they could look to Cousins as a significantly cheaper option and someone they know has had guaranteed success in the system they run under McVay.
On the 49er’s possibility, this offseason, they will have to decide on paying Brock Purdy a contract extension that will make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. If the 49ers don’t feel comfortable doing that, they could trade Purdy and sign Cousins.
The most likely option is for Cousins to end up on one of the Rams or 49ers as a backup quarterback, or he could take the path of Russell Wilson and sign with the Steelers.
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